Hewlett-Packard is jumping into the Chromebook market. Joining Samsung and Acer in offering inexpensive devices powered by Google’s Chrome OS, it announced the HP Pavilion 14-c010us Chromebook. It is the first Chromebook to come with a 14-inch display.

The HP Pavilion Chromebook gives you fast and easy access to the things you love and depend on, from a world of Google apps and services to your photos and social networks. The OS and built-in security stay up to date automatically. And since it’s the first Chromebook with a 14-inch diagonal design, you get full-size comfort without giving up full-on mobility.

Posted by Jerome SkalnikComments Off on Samsung launches second generation Chromebook and new Chromebox

Jun032012

Google’s Chrome OS has been languishing since its launch. Samsung last week launched new devices powered by Samsung’s struggling Chrome operating system. The new devices are a second-generation Chrome OS powered notebook, the Samsung Chromebook Series 5 550, and a new small form-factor desktop, the Samsung Chromebox.

Both devices are powered by Intel Core processors and the latest version of Chrome OS. They both come with 4GB RAM, dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, an Ethernet port, USB ports, and a DisplayPort. The Chromebook also comes with 12.1-inch WXGA (1280×800) display and a 3G modem (with 100MB of free data per month through Verizon).

According to Digitimes, both ASUS and HTC have decided to pass on Chrome OS devices due to low sales of first generation devices. HTC had been rumoured to be working on devices running both Android and Chrome OS. Acer, which produced the first generation AC700 Chromebook, is said to be “still evaluating the project,” suggesting it has yet to decide whether to continue with Chrome OS.

Samsung is offering the Chromebook starting at US$449 and the Chromebox starting at US$329. Both will available in the U.S. and in a number of European countries starting on June 15th. There is no word on whether they will also be available in Canada but more countries are promised in “the coming months.”

Posted by Jerome SkalnikComments Off on HTC to offer both Chrome and Android on upcoming Internet-access devices?

Nov262011

HTC could be the latest manufacturer to offer a Chromebook. According to Digitimes, the company is considering building “Internet-access devices” that fall somewhere between tablets and netbooks. They would run both Chrome OS and Android.

Both Acer and Samsung currently offer Chromebooks and sales appear to be quite poor so far. Digitimes expects total sales to reach only 25,000 to 30,000 units by the end of the year. Could HTC have something up its sleeve to give this market a short in the arm?

HTC has taken some gambles with some products in the past. Do you remember the HTC Shift, the 7-inch slate running Vista with slide-out keyboard? Could HTC resurrect it with upgraded hardware and Chrome and Android as its operating systems? Perhaps we will see a few new gambles from the manufacturer especially as it promised to try to stand out from the crowd in 2012.

Posted by Jerome SkalnikComments Off on Google launches Chromezone retail store in UK

Oct012011

If it’s good enough for Apple and Microsoft, then it’s good enough for Google. The company yesterday launched its first retail store in London as part of a “low-key experiment.” The store is actually located within another store, the Tottenham Court Road PC World. It currently only offers Chromebooks and and accessories. According to Google UK’s head of consumer marketing Arvind Desikan:

“It is our first foray into physical retail. This is a new channel for us and it’s still very, very early days. It’s something Google is going to play with and see where it leads.”

The experiment came about after research found that some 80 percent of laptops are sold through brick and mortar retail shops.

Google is planning to open a second Chromezone retail shop in Essex on October 7th with more to follow as part of the pilot program. There is no word if the pilot program will be extended to North America.

Posted by Jerome SkalnikComments Off on Google sued over Chromebook name

Jun092011

Just days before it is to launch the first Chromebooks, Google is being sued over the name it has chosen for its new Chrome OS powered devices. ISYS Technologies filed an injunction in a Utah district court, alleging that the name is “confusingly similar” to that of the ChromiumPC, a desktop computer running Chrome OS and just announced by Xi3, a subsidiary it owns. It asks that a temporary restraining order be placed on Google and its partners to prevent marketing and sales from going forward.

ISYS had tried to trademark the ChromiumPC name last year but was blocked by Google which argued that the name was too similar to that of the Chromium OS. According to ISYS, Google had wanted to originally name its devices ‘Speedbooks’ but chose Chromebooks instead when it found out that the former was already in use.

It remains to be seen if ISYS will be successful in delaying the launch of the Google Chromebooks.

Posted by Jerome SkalnikComments Off on Google I/O 2011: Chromebooks from Acer and Samsung launching June 15th

May112011

Google today announced the first commercial devices (following the Cr-48 pilot program) to be powered by its Chrome OS. Dubbed Chromebooks, they will be available from Acer and Samsung starting on June 15th.

These are not typical notebooks. With a Chromebook you won’t wait minutes for your computer to boot and browser to start. You’ll be reading your email in seconds. Thanks to automatic updates the software on your Chromebook will get faster over time. Your apps, games, photos, music, movies and documents will be accessible wherever you are and you won’t need to worry about losing your computer or forgetting to back up files. Chromebooks will last a day of use on a single charge, so you don’t need to carry a power cord everywhere. And with optional 3G, just like your phone, you’ll have the web when you need it. Chromebooks have many layers of security built in so there is no anti-virus software to buy and maintain.

The first Chromebooks will be available as of June 15th from Amazon.com and Best Buy in the US. Acer models (11.6-inch HD display, dual-core Intel processor) will start at US$349. Samsung models (12.1-inch WXGA display and dual-core Intel processor) will start US$429 for Wi-Fi-only and US$499 for 3G/Wi-Fi models. There is no word yet on availability in Canada.

Google will also offer Chromebooks on monthly subscriptions starting at US$28 per month per user for business and US$20 per month per user for educational institutions.